Essentially created by makers for makers, the Pinguino is a 32-bit PIC based Arduino-compatible prototyping platform, much like Microchip’s chipKIT. The Pinguino boasts 100% Arduino compatibility just as the chipKIT, though their tool chain has been built from scratch, meaning it is completely open source. The Pinguino even include an on-board microSD slot and a built-in Li-Po charger – two huge features that make this a solid chipKit competitor.

Phil discusses the history of the Pinguino with the pair, diving into technical differences between the two platforms, as well as where they plan on taking the platform in the future. It’s certainly an interesting read for anyone interested in open software and hardware that has been considering giving the chipKIT a try.

So it’s not really PIC-based is it then? It uses a PIC32, which is itself built around the MIPS architecture. Rather big difference! An 8-bit accumulator machine with a rather strange attitude towards registers and RAM that’s used to control waching machines vs. a 32-bit advanced RISC machine (in some aspects the primary competitor to theAdvanced RISC Machine even) that’s been used at the heart of the PS1, PS2, PSP, and N64, not to mention the many SGI workstations.

A PIC-based Arduino clone would be close to worthless, this PIC32 one on the other hand might prove to be very competitive.

Competition in this space is a wonderful thing for all of us. It provides choices and in the end it will put pressure on the Arduino providers to make their stuff even better. It will put pressure on the shield makers not to be so Arduino specific.

This would be good news for all of us hobbyist even if it wasn’t introducing anything new. The fact that there are some neat new features makes it even better no matter what flavor of Kool-Aid you may have drank a little too much of….

Looks like a very well thought out board, although Ethernet could have been a very cheap plus.

Great news about the tool chain, this is something microchip should have addressed themselves years ago.

I’m not sure where the whole 32 bit embedded market is going but from the hacker / maker market the Raspberry Pi is going to be difficult to take on. Ok it doesn’t have shield compatibility but what it doesn’t have onboard can be added via USB a lot cheaper.